At a Glance

Delve into the rich history and heritage of Cuba. In the heart of Cienfuegos and Havana, meet members of the local communities to discuss their lives and cultural traditions. Meet face-to-face with community leaders, local residents, artists and intellectuals to discuss Cuba today and explore local landmarks that are significant to Cuba's cultural heritage.

Activity Level

Keep the Pace

Walking up to two miles per day with some walking on uneven cobblestone streets.

Small Group

Love to learn and explore in a small-group setting? These adventures offer small, personal experiences with groups of 10 to 24 participants.

Best of all, you'll ...

Meet with members of a local musical group in Cienfuegos and learn about their careers as musicians.

Enjoy interactions with lively seniors.

Learn about conservation and enjoy lunch at a beachfront private enterprise.

General Notes

Round-trip flight from Miami to Cuba is included. Questions about Cuba? Road Scholar is an authority on travel to Cuba. Read our FAQs about travel to Cuba. www.roadscholar.org/collections/cuba-travel-facts/faqs

Featured Expert

All Experts

Guillermo Mena

Guillermo Mena is a driven and talented educational specialist with an extraordinary knowledge of Cuba and Cuban history. He is fluent in English and Spanish and has a wealth of experience working with Road Scholar in Cuba. He also specializes in Cuba-U.S. relations and is more than happy to share his extensive knowledge with you.

Please note: This expert may not be available for every date of this program.

Pedro Vazquez

View biography

Michelle Murphy

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Guillermo Mena

View biography

Hector Aviles

View biography

Suggested Reading List

View 20 books

Moon Cuba

by Christopher P. Baker

A practical guide in the Moon series, packed not only with travel necessities (hotels, restaurants, sights), but also with a good overview of history and destinations throughout Cuba.

Passage to Cuba

by Cynthia Carris Alonso

An wonderful coffee-table book that takes readers through the crumbling, baroque splendor of Havana. Subtitled "An Up-Close Look at the World's Most Colorful Culture."

Che Guevara, A Revolutionary Life

by Jon Lee Anderson

A revised and updated edition of Anderson's definitive biography, published to mark the 50th anniversary of the Cuban Revolution.

Organized chronologically, this multi-faceted portrait of a nation, with most of the selections by Cuban writers, includes not only history, journalism and literature but also songs, paintings, poems, cartoons and speeches.

Jim Rasenberger's gripping, revisionist account of the invasion of the Bay of Pigs, published to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the misguided adventure, draws on newly available information from the CIA and his own family history.

Havana Modern, Twentieth-Century Architecture and Interiors

by Michael Connors

In vivid, original photographs, Connors ushers us through 100 examples of Havana’s best-preserved Nouveau and Art Deco architecture, built between the early 1900s and 1965.

Cuba Map

by Borch Maps

A detailed, double-sided laminated map at a scale of 1:1,000,000.

Cuba, A History in Art

by Gary R. Libby

This slim, yet comprehensive survey of Cuban art between 1725 and 1959 explains the development of artists’ styles and how developments in Cuba (and especially Havana) changed their work.

A life-affirming tale of love set during a hurricane in 1960s, post-revolutionary Cuba. To keep hope alive amongst the evacuees, Maria Sirena tells the incredible story of her childhood during Cuba's Third War of Independence.

Trading with the Enemy

by Tom Miller

Miller captures the openness, sensuality and pride of Cuba and the Cubans in this eloquent account of entertaining travels in Fidel's Cuba.

Listen, Yankee, Why Cuba Matters

by Tom Hayden

With an unabashedly liberal bias, Hayden insightfully covers the often troubled relationship between these two nations and brings readers to the present with consideration for the future of U.S.-Cuban relations.

The Spaces Between, Contemporary Art in Havana

by Antonio Eligio Fernandez

This study of shared, communal spaces for Havana artists examines the context of contemporary Cuban art. Including major contemporary figures, the work discusses artists’ techniques, their major themes and the environments in which they create.

Hemingway's Boat

by Paul Hendrickson

Focusing on the years 1934 to 1961, from Hemingway's pinnacle as the reigning monarch of American letters until his suicide, Paul Hendrickson traces the writer's life through the story of his beloved boat, Pilar. On display at Hemingway's Finca La Vigia in San Francisco de Paula, east of Havana, it is easy to see how this sleek craft attracted Hemingway, the setting for so much of what the writer loved and the leitmotif of Hendrickson's supple elegy.

Dreaming in Cuban

by Cristina Garcia

A short, poetic novel of three generations of Cuban women, their reaction to the revolution and the complex relation between those who remained in Cuba and those who settled in the United States. Excellent reading.

Cuba, This Moment, Exactly So

by Lorne Resnick

This deluxe coffee-table book organizes 250 black-and-white photographs around micro-stories that immerse readers in the heat and culture of the "Pearl of the Antilles." Includes a foreword by great travel writer Pico Iyer.

Havana, A Cultural and Literary Companion

by Claudia Lightfoot

An illuminating guide to the city, its history and geography, as the inspiration for writers, artists, musicians and intellectuals.

Director for Latin America Studies at the Council on Foreign Relations, Julia Sweig traces the geography, history and identity of Cuba in this admirably succinct portrait of the island nation and its role in world affairs.

Our Man in Havana

by Graham Greene

The classic story of a British vacuum cleaner salesman who gets accidentally drawn into Cold War espionage with disastrous results.

Activity note: Please note: This day-by-day schedule should only be used as a guide since program elements are subject to change as availability is controlled by the Cuban government.

Afternoon: The Road Scholar Group Leader will be in the hotel lobby at 5:15 p.m. to accompany the group to the orientation room. Welcome and orientation begins at 5:30 p.m. This very important meeting prepares you for our educational program and travel in and out of Cuba. We will review the up-to-date daily schedule and any changes, responsibilities, safety guidelines, emergency procedures, and discuss U.S. Department of the Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) regulations that govern our program. Flight times to Cuba are subject to change and will be confirmed during Orientation. The day-by-day schedule in Cuba is a representative guide only as program elements are controlled by the Cuban Government and are subject to change on short notice.

Dinner: In the hotel restaurant.

DAY

2

Fly to Santa Clara, Transfer to Cienfuegos

Cienfuegos

B,D

Hotel Jagua

Activity note: Please note: Most staircases in Cuba do not have railings and sidewalks are uneven. All accommodations in Cuba feature clean, comfortable rooms with private baths and standard amenities. Please note that Cuban hotel standards may not equal their American or European counterparts. Improvements are ongoing, and we hope that the potential glitch in service or amenities is a minor trade off for the authentic connections and enrichment you’ll experience.

Breakfast: Breakfast at the Miami hotel.

Lunch: Lunch on own in Miami Airport.

Afternoon: Depart from the hotel to the terminal to check into the flight to Santa Clara. Flight times are always subject to schedule changes made by the airline. The Road Scholar Group Leader will meet the group in the hotel lobby to transfer to the airport. Please be in the hotel lobby with your luggage and be ready to depart the hotel 15 minutes before departure schedule. Upon arrival in Santa Clara, transfer to Cienfuegos. We will enjoy a welcome greeting by an experienced bilingual Cuban Guide, who will be with us for the entire program.

Dinner: Dinner buffet in the hotel at leisure.

Evening: Evening at leisure.

DAY

3

Trinidad, Cienfuegos Musical Group

Cienfuegos

B,L,D

Hotel Jagua

Activity note: Strenuous walking up to 2 - 2.5 miles over uneven cobblestone streets in Trinidad with limited shade and places to sit. The historic center of Trinidad is not accessible to motorcoaches and must be accessed on foot.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in the hotel.

Morning: Depart on an excursion to Trinidad, the crown jewel of colonial Cuban cities. Founded in 1514, this time capsule of a city is a mix of historic landmarks and majestic natural beauty. On foot, discover the historic center of Trinidad with your Cuban Guide. Walk to Plaza Mayor to explore the historically and architecturally significant landmarks of this colonial town. Before going to lunch, look in on an artist who carves the faces of everyday Cubans in discarded wood he finds on the streets. His work has been featured both in Cuba and in the United States.

Lunch: Lunch in a paladar in Trinidad.

Afternoon: Return to Cienfuegos. Explore the city and enjoy a short walking tour through Plaza Jose Marti, the main square in Cienfuegos. Talk briefly about the square's history while you have the opportunity to see local life and observe the beautiful buildings that surround it, including the Tomas Terry Theater. People Connection: Enjoy interactions with an orchestra and discuss their musical careers, how they studied their art and what a typical day is for them.

Dinner: In a paladar near the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

4

Santa Clara, Senior Center, Che Memorial

Cienfuegos

B,L,D

Hotel Jagua

Activity note: There will be standing and walking through the Che Memorial & Museum for about an hour with limited places to sit. The center of Santa Clara is inaccessible to motorcoaches and must be accessed on foot.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in the hotel.

Morning: This morning, discover a local Farmers Market, where you have the opportunity to talk with local farmers about their produce. Depart on a full day field-trip to Santa Clara, the beautiful provincial capital of the region Villa Clara. People to People Connection: Enjoy lively interactions with a vivacious group of senior citizens. These young-at-heart folks share their leisure activities and discuss how some Cubans enjoy retirement.

Lunch: Lunch in Santa Clara.

Afternoon: Visit the Che Guevara Memorial and Mausoleum which features unique historical pieces from one of the most influential revolutionary leaders. The displays chronicle the events of an era in this extraordinary man's life. The mausoleum is the final resting place of Ernesto "Che" Guevara and his companions.

Dinner: Dinner in a local restaurant.

Evening: Evening at leisure.

DAY

5

Depart Cienfuegos, Bay of Pigs, Zapata Swamp, Colon Cemetery

Havana

B,L,D

Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Activity note: Travel by motorcoach. Walking and standing in the museum for 40 minutes. Walking up to 2 – 2.5 miles over uneven cobblestone streets in Cienfuegos with limited places to sit. There may be time during the lunch stop to swim in the Caribbean, so be sure to pack your swimsuit.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in the hotel.

Morning: Depart from the countryside to the capitol of Havana. En route, stop at the Playa Giron, also known as the Bay of Pigs, a small coastal village and the site of the historical 1961 clash between CIA-trained Cuban exiles and Cuban rebel forces. Explore the small Bay of Pigs Museum, which reveals the Cuban perspective of the infamous invasion and houses many historical artifacts including a Sea Fury fighter aircraft, photos and maps outlining each step of the failed mission. Continue on to Zapata Swamp to learn about ecology and conservation in Cuba.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch at a privately owned seaside restaurant, with an opportunity to take a short swim in the Caribbean or a walk along the beach.

Afternoon: Arrive in Havana and explore Colon Cemetery with a local expert. Learn the stories of the monumental architecture and of the famous Havana personalities who are buried there. Head to the hotel and enjoy a welcome cocktail.

Dinner: In the hotel's restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

6

Explore Old Havana, Meet With Artists, Plazas of Old Havana

Havana

B,L

Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Activity note: Walking and standing up to 2 - 2.5 miles over uneven, cobblestone streets is required in Old Havana.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in the hotel.

Morning: Today’s presentation is on urban planning and architecture given by an expert in the field. Enjoy a presentation by a local architect involved with the government-funded restoration project of Old Havana; learn about the work being done and discuss the challenges and the vision for Havana’s future. Next, discover the first two of four "plazas" in Old Havana: Plaza de la Catedral and Plaza Vieja. Each square has its own unique features.

Lunch: In a paladar, (a privately owned restaurant).

Afternoon: Discover the second two "plazas" of Old Havana: Plaza de San Francisco de Asis, and Plaza de Armas. People to People Connection: Meet with members of a graphic arts cooperative and discuss what they do.

Dinner: Your choice to explore the many new privately owned restaurants (paladares) in Havana. The array of possibilities is constantly growing. A list of suggestions will be provided.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

7

Expert Presentation, Dance Company, Hemingway's Home

Havana

B,L

Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Activity note: Walking and standing outdoors for one hour at Finca La Vigia, with some uneven stairs with no railing.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in the hotel.

Morning: Today’s presentation is on the history of U.S.-Cuban relations with an expert in the field. Gain an understanding of the Cuban perspective of the tumultuous relationship between the two countries, followed by open discussion on the topic. People to People Connection: Observe a rehearsal then enjoy conversation and interactions with a modern dance group.

Lunch: Enjoy lunch in a paladar.

Afternoon: Drive to the outskirts of Havana to Finca La Vigia, the Hemingway Farm. This beautiful property hosts the house where the Nobel Prize-winning author lived with his third wife Mary for over 30 years. Look into the open windows and doors to see the home in perfect condition with Hemingway’s personal belongings as he left them. Walk the grounds to see his private writing studio, swimming pool, and beloved fishing boat, Pilar. The boat is featured in his novel "Islands in the Stream."

Dinner: On your own to explore a paladar. Ask your group leader for suggestions.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

8

Cuban Youth, Fine Arts, La Cabana

Havana

B,L,D

Hotel Nacional de Cuba

Activity note: Walking and standing for 2 hours at the Fine Arts Museum. The museum does not have an elevator. Walking and standing outside at La Cabana Fortress on uneven cobblestone streets.

Breakfast: Breakfast buffet in the hotel.

Morning: Today’s presentation focuses on the role of religion in Cuban Identity. Field Trip: Explore the Fine Arts Museum of Havana. Cuban art is renowned world-wide. Delve into the stories that each work of art relates and the statement on politics, culture and society that each artist conveys.

Lunch: Light lunch in a paladar.

Afternoon: Explore the Fortaleza de San Carlos de la Cabana, also known simply as "La Cabana." This fortress protected the mouth of the Havana harbor in its day and offers unique views over Havana - ideal for gaining a better understanding of the city's layout. Return to Havana for another People to People Connection with young Cubans.

Dinner: People to People Connection: As an “appetizer”, enjoy a performance by a women’s a capella chorale. This is an opportunity not only to hear beautiful voices, but to discuss what life is like for women today in Cuba. Then enjoy dinner in a paladar.

Evening: At leisure.

DAY

9

Return to U.S., Program Concludes

Havana

B

Breakfast: Breakfast in the hotel.

Morning: Group transfer to the Havana airport to check into Flight AA2678 departing at 8:45 AM to Miami. Flight times are always subject to changes made by the airline. You can check the status of this flight at any time on the American Airlines website. Please do not schedule connecting flights within 3 - 4 hours of arrival in Miami due to possible delays, schedule changes and airport security (PLEASE NOTE: The flight time is subject to change.)

Meals

20 Meals

8 Breakfasts

6 Lunches

6 Dinners

The following choices may be available when requested in advance: Vegetarian, Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Salt

Lodging

Lodgings may differ by date. Select a date to see the lodgings specific to that date.

Situated one mile from Miami International Airport (MIA), this modern Miami, Florida hotel adjoins the Miami Airport Convention Center and the Miami International Merchandise Mart, which is also open to the public. The hotel is a 10 minute drive from the airport and offers a free shuttle service from the airport to the hotel. To call the shuttle upon arrival at the airport: On the 2nd Level / Departure Level, go to the nearest outside door and identify the Door number. Call the hotel on (305) 261-3800 and tell them your location. The shuttle will come and pick you up upon request.

The Hotel Jagua is a resort-style hotel, with a magnificent location in Cienfuegos’ well-known residential area of Punta Gorda. The Jagua is considered one of Cuba's most famous hotels. Its comfortable rooms are characterized by the spaciousness of the 1950s and offer beautiful panoramic views.

Located in the center of Havana, The Nacional Hotel is situated on a vantage point overlooking the Malecon – Havana’s seafront promenade. The Hotel Nacional de Cuba has hosted numerous illustrious guests: actors, artists and many other famous people. The hotel is a National Monument and is inscribed in the UNESCO Memory of the World Register.

This trip was perfect. We learned so much about the history, politics, arts, culture and people of Cuba. I think every person who wants to understand Cuba's past and present should take an adventure like this. Our group leader, Marissa, and Cuban tour guide Jose were the best! The whole trip exceeded my expectations.

Our trip was full of educational information from our guides to speaking with local artists, musicians, dancers, singers & young professional people. Our guides were exceptional in detail & knowledge & fun sharing.

The Cuba Today: People and Society: Cienfuegos to Havana Program is fabulous. It is educational, interesting, and well-thought out. The guides and activities were superb. And Cuba is safe! I highly recommend this program.

Don't miss this trip. Those of us who lived through the arrival of Fidel, the Cuban missile crisis, the Bay of Pigs invasion owe it to ourselves to do it. This was a trip I will never forget. I hope to do it again.

The People to People CienFuegos to Havana trip was incredible ! In my opinion the best trip, and the best value, of all the trips I have taken. The best way to get a feeling for the people and culture of Cuba is through actual interaction. Not a trip to be missed !

My wife and I just returned from our Cuba trip. What a blast! Always something to do; great lecturers and guides, interesting activities, delicious cuisine and a wonderful group of fellow travelers. Could not be happier with our trip and looking forward to our next one! Thank you Road Scholar for an amazing and educational journey to Cuba! ~ Padraic & Rhonda

Cuba was an exceptionally well curated series of interactions , with the people and the institutions. I cannot imagine putting together a more broad range of experiences without the expertise of our local guide and the advance preparation of Road Scholar.

The tour gave me an entirely new and deep understanding of Cuba and its people as well as a much clearer understanding of Cuba/US relations. It’s a “must” for anyone who wants to understand the country and wants to help the Cuban people.

The people to people encounters were varied and extremely informative. I learned a lot about the life of regular people in Cuba today. Also, the people on the program were welcoming and well traveled. As a single person I felt included in everything.

This trip exceeded my expectations. The tour leaders - Jose and Cuqui - were not only very knowledgeable about Cuba, but also extremely pleasant, professional and accommodating to the participants' needs.
I was very pleased with the choice of restaurants, and hotels and places visited. I learned so much about Cuban people and society, and had some myths and assumptions dispelled. Road Scholar, I cannot thank you enough!

We experienced an uplifting week in Cuba that deepened our understanding of Cuban history, its people and its culture. Our local guide could not have been more effective in making every day and every encounter with local people come alive and imprint us with lasting impact.

Fascinating trip. We learned so much, including some conflicting views about Cuba today and US-Cuban relations. Note that food in Cuba is limited and not very varied; don't expect gourmet or great service. But it's a once in a lifetime experience.

The Cuban people are delightful, the program was very well organized and executed, and we encourage all who have any interest in Cuba, the Cuban people and/or Cuban-US relations to attend this program!

This first trip to Cuba, and my first with Road Scholar proved to be far more detailed and comprehensive than I could ever have imagined. I enjoyed every aspect of it, including lectures, field trips, performances, etc.; and the interactions with Cubans and with my group will be well remembered for a long time. Our group leader, Julie, tour guide, Josè Luis, and driver Jackson were the absolute best at taking care of the group and providing everything we needed to safely enjoy all the wonderful experiences we shared together.

This was an excellent trip, full of wonderful surprises.
Our Road Scholar Trip Guide Carol and our local guide Elene were both wonderful; personable, knowledgeable and caring with good senses of humor.

A wonderful way to experience Cuba and its people. The tour was so well organized and provided us with a variety of experiences and information that we would never have obtained on our own. We would go back in a minute!

This program is for those with minds open to differing cultures than their own. As Wade Davies is quoted, "The world in which you were born is just one model of reality. Other cultures are not failed attempts at being you; they are unique manifestations of the human spirit." This quote brought me to Road Scholar. Road Scholar presented me with Cuba without fail.

You have to experience it. I have had many persons ask....."How was Cuba?" I prefer to say...."Ask me questions." I learned more than I ever expected; From the regions of the island, to the population of the areas, to the economy, the medical services, the political history(that was clarified for me from our expert lecturers). We interacted with several Cubans and learned about their day to day lifestyles. This was one of my top three trips in life. The island, just some 90 miles from the last of the Key West, Florida islands, deserves our(US) attention. The States are so close to this island/country and their significant history and rich culture. The designated lectures and assorted site presentations were wholly informative. The RS staff for our group of under 20 persons, were attentive to us, from our motor coach driver, to our logistics leader, to our historical leader. I always felt I was always in good hands.

For those of us who grew up under the shadow of the Bay of Pigs and the Cuban Missile Crisis, this trip answered a lot of questions. It shed new light on the country and made us think a lot about what relations between the US and Cuba have been and could be in the future.

Cuba Today: People and Society Tour exceeded my expectations. Because of Hurricane Irma and the State Department requesting American not to go we were not sure if our trip would be cancelled. Thank goodness it wasn't. The people of Cuba are warm and very welcoming.
I would rate this trip in my List of Top Tours.

Awesome trip! Learned a LOT! Would recommend this Road Scholar trip to anyone interested in a better understanding of a country that has been cut off from communication with the U.S. for several decades.

This program is a quick overview of some cities and areas of Cuba. It is a great country to visit. Would like more free time and less heavy food. Overall I would give Road Scholar a B grade for the program, they coordinated a lot of experiences. Would have liked more opportunity to interact with everyday person and more photo opps in rural areas. Sharon, St. Paul, MN

The people to people experience in Cuba was extremely educational and interesting. Our governments have huge differences, and seeing how Cubans are managing and enjoying their lives in a government so different from ours is critical in understanding those differences. I came home energized and ready to share so much of what I learned - and enjoyed!

After returning to the states I am often asked how was your trip? How was Cuba? And I find myself pausing, it's not that simple of an answer. Of course the trip was awesome! The Cuban people have a positive, hopeful spirit even with all the adversity they face each day! They have so much pride in their country. As our guides and lecturers often said, "It's complicated!" And it certainly is! I will be watching what happens in the next year as they elect a new President. I am hopeful that the right people are elected and the people of Cuba can move into the 21st century yet preserve their heritage and culture! I would give this trip the highest recommendation!

The Road Scholars approach to visiting Cuba certainly enhanced my stay their. I recognize that it is not the least expensive way to visit Cuba, but I thought is was well worth the extra and certainly provided good value.

This was a true people to people experience. During the trip we interacted with people of all ages and interests. I have come home with a much greater understanding and appreciation of the Cuban people. The classes were very informative and enhanced my increasing knowledge. I would recommend this trip to anyone wanting to understand the history of Cuba and the journey of its people.

We thoroughly enjoyed our 7-day trip to Havana and Cenfuego, Cuba. The trip included 3-professional lectures, interviews with local university students, seeing performances from very young, high school, dance troupe, women singers, guitar group, and more. We also enjoyed the museums and seeing the various home conditions. I encourage everyone to try this type of touring experience. Alan and May

Visiting Cuba with other Road Scholars was delightful. Our Cuban group leader made the trip a lot of fun and very informative. I would love to return to Cuba in three or five years, and see how things have changed. When I do return, I'll be a Road Scholar.

This program couldn't have been better! There was a good balance between traveling and staying in place, as well as listening and doing. I especially loved the open and rather free-wheeling conversations we were able to have with Cubans, and enjoyed the "surprises" that came along (don't want to give them away).

"Cuba Today" offers the opportunity to understand the island through interaction with Cubans . We met and spoke with students, dancers, artists, state workers, and a knowledgeable, charming Cuban study leader. We were treated to music, dance, informative, interesting lecture and a wide variety of cultural experiences. (The itinerary doesn't begin to reflect the depth of this trip) Cuba has a long way to go before it becomes a typical Caribbean destination, and traveling with Road Scholar will allow you to immerse yourself in the unique island and its culture, something that friends who traveled to Cuba on their own and picking up a guide when they arrived, were not successful in duplicating. Travel to Cuba - it will be one of the most meaningful experiences you can ever hope for.

Our guides made it an extra special experience. Cuba is fascinating if you love history. It has been at the crossroads of the old and new world since Christopher Columbus. Learning Cuban history provides a new perspective on American history that you thought you knew. The music and people are wonderful. It is a very interesting trip. We were comfortable and well looked after.

Road Scholar provides an excellent way to visit Cuba. It is a great way to learn about and see this very interesting country only 90 miles to our south. The content is great and the Road Scholar guides are outstanding, and you cannot beat Road Scholar for value!

Our trip to Cuba with Road Scholar exceeded our expectations. We had a small group and an outstanding group leader and guide. The trip was very well organized and everything was on schedule. The lectures and field trips were very informative as were the interactions with the citizens of Cuba.

Hard to imagine a better way to see and experience Cuba! Instructors and leaders were exceptional, and the people-to-people activities were fun, inspiring and endearing. One of my favorite trips ever! Cheryl J.

I just completed a trip to Cuba with Road Scholar. It was perfect! I am so glad I choose this tour company as they made the trip so worthwhile. I highly recommend this company to anyone wishing to learn and experience new things.

I have traveled a great deal, but the Road Scholar trip to Cuba (my first RS trip) was exceptional. I learned more and experienced far more than I could have if I had tried to organize the trip on my own. I'm so glad I traveled with Road Scholar and I'll be back.

Cuba Today: People to People is fascinating at this time of transition for both Cubans and Americans. Wendy was an exceptional skilled leader who quietly fostered a congenial and stimulating group dynamic. Hector was outstanding as a guide and ambassador for Cuba. Meeting and listening to Cubans of all ages and talents was more rewarding than I ever imagined. Great tour in many ways.

We thoroughly enjoyed this RS program. Content was very informative. Well organized. Tour guides were knowledgeable and took extra effort to answer questions from participants.Food and accommodation was great.

Road Scholar is more than a vacation. If you're looking to understand the culture and history of your destination, get more than a surface knowledge of the tourist traps and be enriched while you relax, then Road Scholar is the trip for you. I loved that all the details were taken care of for me and I experienced and learned more through the tour than I could have possibly done on my own.

Pro:
informative with excellent guest lectures
variety of cultural experiences with charming Cuban people
hotels in good locations (but NOT the famous Hotel Nationale as originally advertised)
nice balance between Havana and other locations
really nice group of participants
Con:
almost no free time to soak in atmosphere, of which there is a lot!
long meals with monotonous menus (but in very attractive restaurants)

My trip to Cuba with Road Scholars was more than I imagined. Seeing first hand the rich culture, the warmth of the Cuban people, the complex history, along with the interesting sights and sounds was amazing to witness. The very informative lectures enhanced the travel experience. It was a very engrossing trip that had me, and my diverse and interesting traveling companions going from sun up to sun down. As an avid amateur travel photographer, I was snapping image after image, trying to capture the experience to share later with friends and family at home. I am eager to return and explore more parts of Cuba. This introductory tour showed me the tenacity, and adaptability of the Cuban people. Except for a little bout of gastritis, and a couple other hick ups....it was a great trip. Cuba is revitalizing itself, preparing itself for the increased tourism, and Road Scholar provides a wonderful safe trip for those with curious minds, and who have an interest in experiencing first hand all that Cuba has to offer.

"Cuba Today: People and Society: Havana to Cienfuegos" was a well organized and carefully balanced cultural immersion experience. Our very personable, professional Road Scholar group leader and Cuban travel guide, well executed itinerary, and interactions with the people of Cuba made this a special experience and treasured memory. The good fortune of traveling with a very cohesive, inclusive group of interesting, friendly, kind people was a wonderful bonus.

Just got back from the Havana to Cienfuegos trip. It was a life changing experience Everyone ask what was the best part and anyone who goes says the people. I agree. The people are wonderful. We have to be there to understand the journey the last 50 years has been for them. We as a country need to support the new relationship developing between US and our nearest neighbor.

If you are planning to visit Cuba, this is the trip to take.
It is VERY informative, EXTREMELY well organized, enjoyable from the first day to the last. The leaders are friendly, helpful, knowledgeable, and go above and beyond to make your visit a cherished memory. Thank you Road Scholar.

The Road Scholar trip to Cuba presents an excellent overview of our close neighbor. Through visits with various groups, walks, and lectures, one has the opportunity to develop a greater appreciation of Cuba's accomplishments and challenges.

This was a truly great experience! I learned SO much about Cuba, and it was very helpful having all the details taken care of by the program leaders. In the future, I will follow with great interest what is happening in Cuba!

This is a trip for anyone wanting to be immersed in a different way of thinking about both Cuba and the USA and how they intercept. It will leave you with excellent information and many new questions to consider. It will open you up to new ways of thinking about everyday life.

This is a great introduction to a world which has largely been closed off to Americans for over fifty years. If you are at all apprehensive about visiting what is still a third world country and especially if you don't speak Spanish, this is the program for you.

Just returned from Cuba: People to People Havana to Cienfuegos Road Scholar trip. Would highly recommend this trip to all. What an adventure....learned so much about the country and it's people. We had wonderful guides and a diverse and fun group of 20...the perfect size to be able to get to know each other. It was the trip of a lifetime!

This program exceeded all of my expectations and makes me hungry for more! The sights and sounds of Havana thrill the senses, and the openness of the people I encountered challenged any erroneous or biased assumptions I may have held. The excursions to Cienfuegos, Trinidad, and Santa Clara were equally rich. I feel that the depth of cultural and political knowledge I gained through this program could not have been achieved elsewhere, or with a more delightful group of people.

This trip was the perfect overview trip to Cuba, leaving me wanting much more. We are well travelled, yet, this is the first time we have ever been on a tour. This experience opened us up to the possibility of taking more tours although I hope that travel restrictions for non-Cuban Americans, like me, will be lifted as soon as possible.

This experience exceeded all my expectations. It gave me new perspectives on and interests in Cuba. Our tour directors were amazing -- smart, competent, kind. The small performances, lectures, field trips and interactions with Cubans were excellent and all very meaningful. My fellow travelers were a very bright and accepting group of folks. I return better informed, refreshed by the beauty and soulfulness of the Cuban people, seeing my own life through new eyes. I hope improved relations with the U.S. will offer them opportunities for great economic security without destroying their unique and rich culture.

Our trip to Cuba was the trip of a lifetime. Anyone wanting to better understand Cuba's history, present, people, politics and the relationship between Cuba and the US should put this trip on the top of their list.

This was an experience filled with the sights,tastes,sounds,heart,and soul of the Cuban People. Our Cuban guide's skill at building strong relationships with the many Cuban's we visited enabled us to feel at home everywhere he took us. I return home with a wish to continue my relationship to Cuba to promote cultural exchange, economic growth and removal of embargo.

The Road Scholar trip to Cuba was very enlightening and informative. We met with and talked to many people of all ages about life in Cuba amd learned a great deal about a country that has been ignored for 50 years. End the Embargo!!!

Our visit to Cuba was terrific! Our Cuban guide and the instructors were very knowledgeable and open about life there. We heard great performances and saw beautiful museums and historic areas. The hotels were lovely, the food bountiful and tasty, and the Cubans welcoming. They displayed great pride in their country amid the crumbling infrastructure and need for economic changes. We had a great group and learned a lot!

I am continually amazed by the quality of the tour guides and group leaders. Road Scholars does an exceptional job at selecting just the right people to make their trips unforgettable. Thank you so much Tim and Elene. You both added so much to my experience.

I would recommend the Cuba People and Society to all in our country because we've been cut off from a country that is so close to ours.
The Cubans were very welcoming. The sanitation system of Cuba was the most discouraging.

Had a great trip to Cuba. Our group was phenomenal - interacted very good with each other. We learned so much, had good food and fantastic entertainment. I do have a whole new appreciation for toilet seats!

Great guide who made the porgam special. RS trip was very enriching. For the most part the restaurants were first class. But would suggest very heavy and one of the best and appreciated was a giant salad bar. Hotels maybe a 3. Jagar wasn't so good. No hot water for shower 2 of 3 days. My friend's phone didn't work, and when she told them they said they knew, but made no effort or interest to change it. The whole trip fun and very educational. Will take another one in the future with RS.

My trip to Cuba was a long-time dream come true. It was exciting to finally come face-to-face with a country and people I had only read about. Once again, I realized people everywhere are more alike than they are different. So glad I went!

Road Scholar has developed wonderful programs that were well organized, professionally guided and complete in every way. I was more than impressed with the quality of content, professionalism of presentation and eye-opening presenters that make the travel and learning fun, exciting and enriching. I will tour with them again.

Cuba is a fascinating and complicated country and is certainly worth experiencing, especially with Road Scholar's excellent programming and staff. Through our intensive, well-organized agenda I think all of the people in our small group came away with a rich experience. In the words of one of our group members, it was, "Fabulous and intriguing on so many levels - personal, political, educational..."

If you have ever thought about going to Cuba, I urge you to go soon. It's hard to predict what Cuba will be like as more and more people visit. The trip I was on was remarkable; I gained much knowledge and a greater appreciation for Cuba and its people.

If you have the opportunity, go to Cuba now! So much is changing fast. This is the perfect time to see the results of the last 50 years of their history and the resilience, intelligence and innovation of the people. It is an opportunity to meet three generations of Cubans and see their country, the US and the world from their evolving perspectives.

This program combined all manner of experiences to help me understand the Cuban culture and inspire me to learn more. I'm convinced that the way forward requires mutual respect for our similarities and differences. Road Scholar provides this !

My wife and I have traveled a fair amount but going to Cuba with Road Scholar was the best program we have ever participated in. The leaders of the tour were smart, very informed, kind, fun and well organized. We are already looking for our next adventure with them.

This trip, "Cuba Today: People and Society" is nine full days of meeting wonderful Cuban people at work and play, seeing beautiful museums, outdoor landmarks and having fabulous meals- many outdoors.
The information about the history of Cuba is tied into the program to make it all the more interesting and immediate. It was quite a feelng to wade in the Bay of Pigs!

I highly recommend this tour. We had never traveled with a group before and had some concerns about what the experience might be like, but it was terrific. Our tour guides were outstanding and we learned an amazing amount about this complex country in just a week. I left me wanting more, a sign of a good trip. We learning format is varied: formal lectures from three Cuban experts, on site lessons from the Cuban guide, visits with Cubans doing all sort of interesting things in art, music etc., visits to historic and architectural sites, and so much more. Four days in Cienfuegos and four in Havana let us see different parts of the country. The accommodations in both cities were very nice, lots of good food everywhere. This trip exceeded my expectations, which were pretty high to begin with. If you want to see Cuba, go now.

Cuba is amazingly interesting. Road Scholar gave me the opportunity to experience Cuba with informative lectures and guides who were open, honest and helpful. I loved the art, architecture and history, but the best part; the Cuban people themselves. I would love to go back!!

Want to see Cuba, in different locations of that island, then Road Scholar is truly the way to go. Their guides and instructors can not be beat. The true reason I enjoyed the trip so much. Expertise is what made it so enjoyable.

Everyone should visit Cuba. It is very educational and enlightening. At times it is like living in a dream. You will be surprised, perplexed and glad you had the opportunity. Hector and Cuqui are superb guides. Go and have a "party in the back of the bus!"

fantastic look at Cuba from the inside. See the country and the city of Havana. Meet friendly curious Cuban people. Learn a lot about our relationship with Cuba and work to improve it! Well worth seeing and doing.

The trip to Cuba was interesting, informative, fun and immersed in Cuba history and culture. I am very glad I went. Would recommend to anyone that is tired of chain restaurants and hotels and five star living! boy are we lucky.

The trip to Cuba was outstanding!! Extremely well planned with many activities and surprises that made the experience unforgettable. Road Scholar is a first class entity with the goal of providing a unique educational and participatory program that was well worth every penny!!

Our Cuban trip was delightful with wonderful in-country programs, great accommodations, charming restaurants with delicious meals and very comfortable buses. The March weather was delightful. Make this trip before travel from the US inundates the island!

I can't imagine touring Cuba at this time without being in an organizes group and the Road Scholar combination of experience, time in country and leadership from both a Road Scholar and local guide perspective were outstanding. Accommodations were great for Cuba and I can't think anyone else could provide a better experience.